Gene Hackman’s heartbroken fans share emotional tributes to the ‘legendary’ Hollywood star after he and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home

Gene Hackman’s heartbroken fans shared a plethora of emotional tributes to the star on Thursday following the news of his and wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths.

The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found alongside their dog. Local media has reported that no foul play is suspected.

And amid the shock news, movie fans were quick to share their devastation at the loss of the film icon, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

They penned: ‘I loved Gene Hackman. He dressed up every movie he was in, and retired from acting only to become a fiction writer. What a life!’

‘Sad news to see that legendary actor Gene Hackman has died gone but not forgotten.’

‘The rasp, the twinkle, the charm, the cheek, the explosive menace, the vaulting pitch, the intelligence, the heartbreaking tenderness and vulnerability, the commanding presence, on and on, Gene Hackman was easily my favourite actor. RIP. “Miss Teschmacher!”‘

Gene Hackman’s heartbroken fans shared a plethora of emotional tributes to the star on Thursday following the news of his and wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths [pictured in 1983]

The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found alongside their dog. Local media has reported that no foul play is suspected [Gene and Betsy in 2003]

‘There’ll never be another actor like him. An absolute giant of cinema. RIP Gene Hackman’

‘I’ve always admired Gene Hackman, I don’t think I’ve ever watched him in a movie where he wasn’t wonderful. RIP and thank you for all the wonderful films.’

Elsewhere, celebrities including George Takei, comedian Dara O’Briain and presenter Lorraine Kelly were among the famous names leading the heartfelt tributes for the star and his partner.

Taking to X on Thursday morning, George, known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, posted a touching tribute to the late actor.

He shared: ‘We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.’

While Irish funnyman Dara penned: ‘Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think. Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career. And the best delivery ever of a single word: when he says “Cigars!” In Young Frankenstein.’

Meanwhile, appearing on Good Morning Britain as the news broke, Lorraine shared: ‘That is a real shocker, I was just reading about what an amazing actor he is, when you think of the movies that he’s been in…French Connection, everybody remembers that! Wonderful, wonderful film! I had no idea he was 95! That’s really really sad.’

The host continued: ‘He’s an absolute icon, brilliant. He was so funny in Birdcage… he could do drama, he could do comedy, he could do absolutely anything.’ 

Elsewhere, fans were quick to share their devastation at the loss of the film icon, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza did not provide a cause of death, nor did he say when the couple might have died, when asked by local media. 

Two-time Oscar winner Hackman had just turned 95 in late January. He was known for being a reclusive person, having not starred in a movie since 2004, when he played Monroe ‘Eagle’ Cole in the political satire Welcome to Mooseport.

The actor was first propelled into the spotlight when he starred in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, and he went on to star in a slew of beloved movies and TV shows like Superman, The French Connection and Get Shorty, to name a few. 

But in 2004, he announced that he was done being an actor. He packed up his things, left Los Angeles for the quiet of New Mexico – and he never looked back.

Some initially thought that the shocking decision had to do with his marriage. But Hackman actually quit acting because of the severe stress he was under, which became too much to handle after he started to have issues with his heart.

The former Marine appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during his lengthy career that started in the early 1960s.

Hackman was married twice, most recently to classical pianist, and had three children with his first wife.

Last year, he and Betsy, a 63-year-old classical pianist, were seen out and about for the first time in two decades.